Neeltalks

With a strong belief that one learns most from experiences and a diverse group of people, I set out on a solo journey to enrich my arsenal of knowledge and ponder the purpose of my existence on this beautiful planet. For this life-changing experience, I chose the ancient city of Varanasi, believed by many to be the oldest living city in the world, for my quest for knowledge and wisdom. Mark Twain once said, “Banaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together.” It was after my incredible 8-day solo trip that I could resonate with what Mark had said years ago.

Walking on the streets of Varanasi was a surreal experience, inspiring a state of deep introspection and reflection. The waters of the holy river Ganga were mystical in the morning, and sitting with a diverse crowd of different nationalities at 5 in the morning, I cherished the beautiful Ganga aarti. Sitting on the banks of the Holy River in the morning, reading a book in the serenity of nature, and then taking a boat ride in the evening at the famous Assi Ghat was a magnificent experience. The boat ride, in particular, was a once-in-a-lifetime lesson. The ride starts from the Assi ghat, which is filled with youth and activity, transcends over to different ghats built over ages, and ends at the Manikarnika ghat, the holy cremation ground, famously known as the burning ghat. The mesmerizing boat ride teaches you about the cycle of life in only 60 minutes and enriches you with a new perspective.

The amazing people, delicious food, and vibrant atmosphere ofVaranasi left a long-lasting impression on me. There was a sound of peace in the chaotic aura of the mystic land. Way before my Varanasi trip, I had already ventured to learn more about myself, focus on self development, and curate my purpose on this beautiful planet. My deep meditations and mindfulness exercises had brought about a clarity of thought in my life that had helped me delve deeper. But it was in Varanasi that my meditative exercises, my quest for life’s purpose, and my thirst for wisdom colluded and found one single platform. There was unity in my mind, body, and soul. I already had hints that I wanted to build a product in a narrower sense in my professional life, but the week in Varanasi propelled me to dive deep. My long-term dream to build a product, an everlasting brand, that will represent a fusion of cultures and humanity over centuries with a strong inclination to empower our society was born in Varanasi.